New Market proposes 2017-18 budget

NEW MARKET — Town Manager Mike Ritchie presented the proposed fiscal year 2017-2018 budget to the public and the Town Council at a public hearing Monday.

Ritchie explained that there is a 1 percent decrease from the 2016-17 budget. The New Market website states that the decrease is “largely attributed to a decrease in general fund capital project expenditures.”

Ritchie said the proposed budget includes no tax increase, but does have a 2 percent increase in both water and sewer. There is no new full or part-time staffing, but there is a 2.5 percent increase in salary for current employees.

Some highlights of the proposed budget include sidewalk repair and replacement, a down payment on a new police car, new playground equipment, a new air compressor for the water treatment plant and lining replacement on multiple sewer pipes throughout the county.

For those citizens interested in seeing a detailed breakdown of the proposed budget, a copy is available at the New Market town office or it can be found on the New Market town website.

There were no comments from the public after Ritchie finished his presentation. The proposed budget will be on the May 15 Town Council agenda for adoption.